Letters | Hong Kong’s protesters may like virtual reality games, but this crisis is real

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Masked protesters vandalise a Maxim’s restaurant in New Town Plaza in Sha Tin, as part of a series of “Christmas shopping” protests on December 15. Photo: Sam Tsang

Published: 7:00am, 23 Dec 2019Updated: 7:00am, 23 Dec 2019

I refer to your video report, “Virtual reality game recreates immersive experience as a frontline protester”, posted on your website on December 6.

Months on from the first peaceful demonstrations in Hong Kong, protesters on weekends were still damaging public property, such as traffic lights and MTR stations, as well as vandalising restaurants.

Although candidates supported by the protesters have mostly been elected into the district councils, they are still far from satisfied. The protesters have actually lost their aim in this movement – which was achieving democracy. What they want now is to vent their emotions in response to perceived injustice from the police and government. They resort to violence, then use democracy or bringing “glory to Hong Kong” as an excuse.

Some protesters seem to have become addicted to destroying public facilities and the wanton violence. Some youngsters like to play violent games on their smartphones and tablets. As a result, they might think nothing of violence and want to “play the game” in real life. They wear masks and no one can identify them when they are smashing things up and starting fires in MTR stations and shops.

If nothing is done to solve the problem, conditions will only worsen. Therefore, counsellors should take a neutral attitude when handling these cases and analyse the situation from both sides, explaining to the protesters, especially young students, how it is essential for all of us calm down and cooperate, and say no to violence. Unless people stop playing this “game”, Hong Kong will end up in ruins.

Wong Yin-wai, Tsuen Wan